What it looks like now

[dantra]

Its been through a few transitions and here is my latest scape. It is still very young and is yet to grow out. I trimmed some plants, replanted and reorganized a bit.

Dosing estimative index, Plantex CSM+B, N,P and K. Regular water changes.

Tank size 18 gal. (ADA 60p)
Tek Lights 24w, t5ho, 2 Giesemann Midday full-spectrum bulbs and 2 Giesemann Aqua Flora Midday full-spectrum bulbs.
ADA Aquasoil in the back, ADA Bright Sand in the front.
Eheim 2217
Pressurized CO2, Rex Grigg Regulator, Ideal Needle Valve
Needle Wheel-Eheim Compact+ Marine 1103 pump
Hydor 200w In-Line Heater

Here are my water parameters:
pH = 5.5
GH = 60ppm = 3.36°
KH = 70ppm = 3.92°
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 10
Temp = 77-78


Full tank shot:

Right side:

Left side:

Another full tank shot:

 

[dantra]

I got some Espeis from invertz that arrived tuesday, in great condition I might add and by thursday they were spawning. Here are some photos of the Espeis spawning yesterday afternoon again.

I was shocked that the spawning started so soon. They really colored up well and they have a hardy appetite. So far the Espeis have eaten with enthusiasm frozen brine shrimp, frozen chopped mysis shrimp, frozen chopped blackworms and flakes.

They spawned under these leaves:

Let the spawning begin:

 

[dantra]

 

[dantra]

 

[dantra]

That's the last photo of the spawning Espeis. I was told on several occasions that my water is too soft for fish and the tank will suffer a pH crash but the results speak for themselves.

Can anyone identify this plant for me:

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

Very nice work! Great spawning photos..

I think it is Lobelia Cardinalis........

 

[Biollante]

More Porn!

Hi,

Just great after the big crackdowns on Harlequin porn, here you are with False Harlequin porn.

Nice pictures, nice tank, though me thinks it a bit early to be declaring total victory. By no stretch of the imagination do you have a mature tank.

I am not trying to bring you down; I suspect I am not the only one who has had a beautiful tank crash.

Soft water, low pH tanks bring their own set of problems. The False Harlequin’s will certainly enjoy the water; a few of your plants may have a harder time.

One trick is to raise the general hardness 150 to 250 ppm.

With care there really is no reason you cannot keep a low pH, low buffer tank, they are just a bit of work. If you wish to reduce the workload and give yourself a better shot at a mature tank, raising the pH above 6.0, increasing the alkalinity would be a good start.

I am not sure, but as usual I agree with Gerry, the plant looks to be a misshapen Lobelia cardinalis or Cardinal Flower, an herbaceous bog plant that can tolerate extended periods underwater. Though rather short-lived, it is a pretty flowering plant.

If it is a Cardinal Flower, plant it in decent potting soil and keep the soil moist and you will be rewarded with an interesting plant.

Biollante

 

[dantra]

I'll admit the tank is very young, only had it up and running for about a month and a half but only had the plants shown in the tank for 2 1/2 weeks. I had to trim the Ludwigia Guinea (Ludwigia senegalensis) once already because it reached the top in no time. I replanted the tops toward the front. The new growth coming in are blood red. The HM were also trimmed once before and is coming in very dense. Everything else is also growing in very well.

I added dolomite under the substrate and once a week I add Barrs GH Booster after the water change and that is the extent I'm willing to go trying to alter the water chemistry. I know quite a few people in NY who has kept planted aquariums for years without any problems and their water was similar to mine.

I think my being generous with ferts and CO2 probably has something to do with it. I run two T5HO lights during the day but also run 2 - 4 hours noon-burst with all 4 bulbs on. I basically dose the next level above 20 gal. EI (although my tank is 18 gal.). My CO2 bubble count is a steady stream which doesn't affect the fish one bit (yet). I'm still in the process of raising CO2 to its limit. I believe because the CO2 being supplied is a lot and still being increased daily, helps keep algae at bay and I won't stop increasing CO2 until I know I've reach max. Once the fish start to become affected by the CO2, that's when I'll stop and cut back just a bit.

I'll cut back on the lights only when things has grown in a bit. I only run the lights for 8 hours daily. Once I max out with CO2 I may add an hour or two.

The fish porn (LOL)... well that was a surprised. I haven't once thought about spawning the fish. Just an added bonus I guess.


Thanks Gerry and thanks for the I.D., here is the plant growing in a tank. (I have no idea what's being said except for the english text of course)

Biollante, if I experience a crash I'll blame it on you.